In a perfect world, every boss would be incredible. They would lead by example and inspire others. They would be quick to praise publicly and always give credit where credit is due. They would be natural leaders and develop everyone around them.
In reality, most bosses can be very difficult. Here are some suggestions to help you deal with a tough boss.
If your boss is a micro-manager, anticipate what they will ask next and stay one step ahead. Get it done before they ask you to do it. Consistently doing a good job and anticipating what is coming next demonstrates you do not need micro-managing.
If your boss says something to embarrass or anger you, wait until the emotion has departed before responding. It is important to resist the temptation to react immediately. Consider the things you have said in the past, in any relationship, that you now regret. There was probably a lot of emotion involved when you said something you now regret.
If your boss has anger management issues, identify the events that trigger the meltdown and avoid them at all costs. If they get upset when you are late, donβt be late. If they get angry when expenses are too high, find a way to reduce expenses.
Sometimes you get stuck with a boss for which there is no hope. They never laugh and they never smile. They bring everyone down around them and seem to be angry at the world. No matter what you do, nothing helps. In these cases you might have to make a move.
Life is too short to spend your time with people who drain you, personally or professionally. If you end up making a career change, do a better job interviewing the next boss to make sure they are a good boss. Do this before to accept your next position.
